Various 2021-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the rear camera on demand feature may exhibit "Please Check Surroundings For Safety" or "Full View Not Available" messages when the rear camera button is pressed and the vehicle is not in reverse. Inform customers this condition is considered normal operation and does not affect vehicle durability because the full rear view camera image can only be shown when the vehicle is in reverse. No additional diagnosis or service is required for this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Ford Explorer visibility problems
severe Owners of the 2022 Ford Explorer have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Explorer | 18 |
| 2019 Explorer | 5 |
| 2020 Explorer | 43 |
| 2021 Explorer | 26 |
| 2022 Explorer (this page) | 18 |
| 2023 Explorer | 8 |
| 2024 Explorer | 3 |
| 2025 Explorer | 9 |
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain 2022 Model Year Explorer Vehicles - Rear Climate Control Module Retrofit
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit the A/C blowing warm air with DTCs P0645, P2CFC, and/or P2CFD present in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module. This may be due to spread terminal/terminal pushout in wire harness 14290 and on the corresponding pins to the body control module C (BCMC). Before replacement of the BCMC, disconnect all connectors from the BCMC and check the BCMC pins and wire terminals for damage. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-10. If spread terminals or terminal pushout is present, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 005 for repair procedures. Reconnect all connections to the BCMC as indicated by the procedure
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2011-2022 Explorer and 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles may experience an inoperative roof opening panel motor. If diagnostics lead to a motor replacement, visually inspect the original motor for signs of water intrusion. If found, determine source of water leak prior to replacing the motor. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-17, Pinpoint Test A for 2011-2016 and Pinpoint Test B for 2017-2022 for identifying the source of the water leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Fourteen 2022 Ford Explorer owners report visibility and hardware failures across multiple systems. The most common complaint involves the sunroof shade coming off track or sagging within weeks or early months of ownership, obstructing rear and rearview visibility. Owners describe the shade drooping permanently after normal retraction, with dealer repair quotes exceeding $2,500 and warranty denial. One owner reported prior rattling from the ceiling for six months before shade failure.
Backup camera processor failure eliminates rear-camera display entirely, with one owner making three dealer visits before the root cause—a faulty processor, not the camera—was correctly diagnosed.
Spontaneous glass failures include windshields cracking without impact and sunroof glass shattering at highway speeds or while parked with AC running. One sunroof failure showered glass on a passenger at 70 mph.
Power window failures appear on the passenger side: one traced to warped plastic on the master control switch, another to wiring harness and battery issues at 7,420 miles. The same switch warping issue creates sharp-edged plastic that has cut owners, with dealership confirmation but warranty denial.
Windshield wiper blades are defective at 500 miles, failing to clear water. Side window vibration while lowered is reported as abnormal. One owner also reports a second-row HVAC retrofit that now requires reaching behind while driving to heat second-row car seats, since front-panel adjustment only blows from one third-row floor vent.
Same Ford Explorer visibility reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof shade track failure and sagging
The motorized sunroof shade comes off track or sags, drooping down and obstructing rearview mirror and rear window visibility. Owners report it happens shortly after purchase or after normal retraction, with no overuse. The shade loses tension and cannot be tightened. One owner reported prior rattling from the ceiling area.
When: Shortly after purchase (one case); one case at 28,000 miles in a parked, idling vehicle with AC on
Symptoms owners cite: Shade sags or droops after retraction; Shade comes off track; Loss of visibility out rear and side windows through rearview mirror; Shade does not retract properly or fully; Billowing or fluttering of shade material when driving; Distraction while driving; Prior rattling noise from ceiling area (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quotes over $2,500 for repair. One owner reports extended warranty does not cover the cost.
Sunroof glass shattering
Sunroof glass spontaneously shatters or cracks during normal driving at highway speeds or while parked with AC running, without impact or foreign object strike. One case involved glass failure while the sunroof was being retracted.
When: During normal highway driving at 70 mph; while parked and idling; approximately 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof glass suddenly shatters; No apparent impact or cause; Glass shards fall into vehicle; Water leaking into vehicle after cracking
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Local dealer and manufacturer notified in one case but no assistance provided.
Power window failure—passenger side
Passenger side rear windows fail to operate properly. One case traced to warped plastic around master control switch on driver's door, causing the switch to stick in the down position. Another case involved a rear passenger window that would not roll up and required wiring harness repair; the window operated at high temperature.
When: 43,000 miles (first case); 7,420 miles (second case)
Symptoms owners cite: Window fails to roll up; Window remains in down position; Window will not operate when controls are engaged; Window operates at high temperature
Repairs/costs cited: Case 1: Owner manually raised window and disconnected connector from circuit board. Case 2: Independent mechanic diagnosed wiring harness needing repair; also found battery needed replacement. Not yet repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case 1: VIN not under recall; manufacturer opened a case and referred owner to NHTSA. Case 2: Manufacturer not notified.
Warped power window switch—sharp edge hazard
The plastic material around the power window switch peels or warps, creating a sharp edge that poses a cut hazard to occupants. This issue affects switch functionality and represents a physical injury risk.
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic around switch peels; Sharp edge created on switch; Physical cuts and bleeding from contact with sharp edge; Pain from contact
Repairs/costs cited: Switch damage confirmed by Ford dealership (Crossley Ford, Liberty, MO) but not covered under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports this is a known problem to Ford. Warranty does not cover.
Backup camera and processor failure
Backup camera system malfunctions and displays no image. Root cause is a faulty processor, not the camera itself. Initial dealership diagnosis was incorrect, identifying the camera as faulty. The issue eliminates rear visibility during reverse and poses a safety risk to the vehicle operator and surrounding traffic and pedestrians.
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera displays no image; Complete loss of rear camera display
Repairs/costs cited: Owner took vehicle to dealer on 3 occasions. Second dealer diagnosed faulty processor (not camera). Indication is repair will be needed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner believes this is part of broader Ford rear camera backup system issues.
Windshield wiper blade defect
Windshield wiper blades fail to operate as intended, leaving water and debris on the windshield despite being engaged. The rubber on the wiper blades is defective, unable to effectively wipe the glass during rain.
When: Approximately 500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers engaged but do not wipe water off windshield; Defective rubber on wiper blades; Failure at various speeds in rain
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to report to NHTSA Hotline.
Windshield spontaneous cracking
Windshield cracks without impact or foreign object strike. One case reports cracking during normal operation after rolling down a side window; the crack spread across the windshield upon rolling the side window back up. Water leaks into the vehicle. Additionally, side windows vibrate excessively when lowered while driving, a symptom not observed in other vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield cracks without impact; Crack spreads across windshield; Water leaks into vehicle through windshield; Side windows vibrate excessively when down
Second-row HVAC control retrofit malfunction
After Ford retrofit of second-row HVAC controls, the heating function fails when controlled from front panel controls. Adjusting front controls shuts off overhead vents and directs heat only to a single third-row floor vent, providing insufficient warmth to second-row passengers. The retrofit creates a safety issue because owners must reach behind while driving to adjust heat for children in car seats who cannot reach the second-row controls.
Symptoms owners cite: Second-row heating cannot be controlled from front panel after retrofit; Front control adjustment shuts off overhead vents; Heat redirects to single third-row floor vent only; Insufficient heating to second-row; AC controls function normally from front
Repairs/costs cited: Ford attempted reprogramming; compared to other model-year vehicles and found to be functioning the same.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealership reprogrammed system; no resolution.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2022 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2022 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 32,105 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.